Eugene—This July’s heat wave appears to be part of a larger
pattern: Eugene had nearly twice as many days at 90° or hotter in
2006 than the historical average, according to a new study released today by
Environment Oregon. The trend appears statewide—all seven cities studied
reported more days at 90° in 2006 than their historical averages. The trend
also holds up over time: all seven cities had warmer-than-normal average
temperatures for the seven years ending with 2006.
In the summer of 2006,
average maximum temperatures in Eugene were 1.9°F above normal and we experienced 25 days
of 90 degrees of higher. Across the
state, all seven data collection stations examined in Oregon reported above-normal average temperatures. Burns,
in eastern Oregon, topped the list with an average summer 2006 temperature
4.1°F degrees above normal.
“Throw out the record books,
because global warming is raising temperatures in Oregon and across the country,” said Environment Oregon Field
Director Jonathan Jelen. “The long-term
forecast is for more of the same unless we quickly and significantly reduce
global warming pollution from power plants and passenger vehicles,” continued Jelen.
Environment Oregon’s study examined temperature data from 255 weather
stations located in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including seven such stations in Oregon. The study compared temperatures from 2000 through
2006 with the 30 years spanning 1971-2000.
The above-average
temperatures in 2006 are part of a broader warming trend. While the National Climatic Data Center describes 2006 as the second warmest year on record
for the lower 48 states, average summer temperature between 2000 and 2006 was 1.4°F
above the 30-year average in Eugene. Nationally,
the average temperature during the same 7-year-period was at least 0.5°F above
normal at 87% of the locations studied, including six of the seven locations
studied in Oregon.
Oregonians are
already feeling the heat. “Global warming is not something that just affects the polar
bears and the glaciers. Here in Oregon, we are experiencing
reduced snow pack in the Cascades, higher temperatures and more wildfires - all
as a result of climate change,” said Mayor Kitty Piercy.
Scientists have also tied
global warming in the Northwest to shrinking snowpack in the Cascades, which
poses problems for farm irrigation and salmon migration. Additionally, we can expect increased forest
fires.
“It looks like Oregon and the West are in for another big year
of wildfires,” said Andy Stahl, executive director of Forest Service Employees
for Environmental Ethics. “Scientists
have determined that these fires have become larger and more numerous as our
climate has warmed, trend that will continue unless we get serious about
addressing climate change."
To avoid the worst
consequences of global warming, scientists agree that United States must halt increases in global warming emissions now,
cut emissions by at least 15-20% by 2020, and slash emissions by at least 80%
by 2050.
“I
am committed to helping the federal government find ways to reduce our carbon
footprint,” commented Congressman Earl Blumenauer. “Global warming is
an escalating crisis, for this generation and the ones to follow. This report
contains crucial information that will help us craft a bold vision to conserve
and invest in more energy efficient technology, and promote alternative energy
sources.”
Congress is poised to
consider global warming legislation this fall. The Safe Climate Act in the U.S.
House and the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act in the U.S. Senate are the
only bills that would reduce pollution to levels that scientists say are needed
to prevent the worst effects of global warming.
“The heat is on Congress to
take decisive action to curb global warming,” stated Jelen. “We applaud Representative DeFazio for
cosponsoring the Safe Climate Act and call on Senators Wyden and Smith to
support the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act,” concluded Jelen. “These bills that do what scientists say we
need to do, and we simply cannot settle for less.”
In addition, Environment
Oregon called on state legislators to support bills introduced in the Oregon
Legislature that would reduce Oregon’s global warming pollution to levels scientists say
is necessary to mitigate the effect of global warming, and also voiced support
for an effort by western states’ Governors to develop a plan for regional
pollution reductions.
